Everything parents and grandparents ask before their first Akoni book.
What is Akoni Books?
Akoni Books is a personalized children's book service that uses AI to create custom illustrated storybooks where your child is the hero. You upload one photo, choose from nine art styles, and receive a digital book in minutes or a printed hardcover/softcover in 5–7 business days. The name "Akoni" means hero in Yoruba.
How does it work?
Four steps: (1) Tell us a bit about your child — name, age, interests. (2) Upload one clear photo. (3) Choose one of nine illustration styles and a story theme. (4) Akoni generates your fully illustrated, personalized 16-page storybook (plus a 19-page Hero Pack of bonus printables) in minutes.
How much does an Akoni book cost?
Digital PDF: $9.99. Softcover printed book: $29.99. Hardcover printed book: $39.99. Shipping is free on every printed book, to 55 countries, via our print partner Gelato. Every book is covered by our love-it-or-your-money-back guarantee: if you're not delighted, email us within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, and you keep the book.
Can I include siblings, friends, pets, or grandparents?
Yes. Up to 3 other people or pets (siblings, friends, grandparents, a teacher) can join your child in the story. You describe each one on the form, and they're drawn from that description. Only your child is drawn from a photo.
Can I sign the book as a gift?
Yes — as you create the book, tell us who it's from and we print a signed dedication page. The first page reads "For them, with love. From you."
Can I buy this for my grandchild?
Yes — Akoni is a popular gift for grandchildren. Upload their photo, pick a style, sign it as the giver, and choose an instant digital PDF or a printed book that arrives in 5–7 business days.
How is this different from Wonderbly, Hooray Heroes, or I See Me?
Most personalized book services use template books with name and avatar customization — your child becomes a stylized cartoon character with your name typed in. Akoni Books is different: we use AI to render your actual child as the illustrated hero based on your photo, with consistent appearance across every page. The story is also generated for your specific child rather than being a template fill-in. See the full comparison →
What ages is this for?
Akoni books are designed for ages 2–10. Story length, vocabulary, and themes adjust based on your child's age. The most popular ages are 3–7.
Can I see the book before paying?
Yes. Before you pay, you'll see your child illustrated on the cover and the opening pages of their book — so you know exactly how they'll look as the hero. Love it and you unlock the full illustrated story; if you don't, you don't pay.
How fast can I get a printed book?
The digital PDF is ready in minutes. Printed books are produced and shipped by Gelato; delivery is 5–7 business days.
Is it safe to upload my child's photo?
Yes. Your child's photo is used only to generate your book's illustrations, is encrypted in transit and at rest, and is automatically deleted within 24 hours of your book being made. Our privacy policy lists exactly which services process the photo and how long everything is kept.
Their photo → their storybook hero, in minutes.
